Idiopathic premature ovarian failure: what is the most suitable ovarian stimulation protocol?

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ovarian response to ovarian stimulation in women with idiopathic premature ovarian failure (POF) in a prospective, controlled, and sequential crossover pilot study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten women with idiopathic premature ovarian failure and normal karyotype were included in the study. Phase I was comprised of three consecutive control cycles consisting each of estrogen progestin sequential therapy. Phase II was comprised of three consecutive treatment cycles combining the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) in the background of estrogen priming, followed by gonadotropin ovarian stimulation and corticosteroid immunosuppression. RESULTS: Ovulation rates in the treatment cycles (0/10; 0%) did not differ from control cycles (0/10; 0%). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this pilot study showed that the combination of estrogen priming, corticosteroid immune-suppression, GnRHa pituitary desensitization, and followed by gonadotropin ovarian stimulation is ineffective in restoring ovarian function in women with idiopathic POF.